“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16 Everyone has purpose in life, and in God’s eyes, no one is exempt! Ever wonder what your purpose is in this life? Recently, I was talking with a young friend who was pondering God’s purpose for him in his life. Though it is a deep question, it is one that is truly universal at some point in the lives of most people. This pressing existential question often comes at times when one is making big decisions, through life transitions, and difficult times, most particularly at times of spiritual growth when we hunger and thirst for God the most on this journey. In my own personal, evolving spiritual life experience, I have noticed that God’s purpose is dynamic and ever changing to meet me right where I am at any given time or place. I believe we have a series of purposes in this life, sometimes overlapping, rather than just one. The Scripture above reminds us that the Lord has much to show each of us, as we are ready to comprehend it, and asks us to give witness to Him as we go about our daily life through what we say and do. In essence, He is asking us to live the sort of life that would logically lead people to Him so that they may reap the benefits and enlarge His Kingdom. Sometimes my purpose is born from circumstances, other times it comes to me in prayer or through reading the bible. I believe that much of the...

“God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my courage; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2-3 Life is full of surprises! Some come in the form of little ‘God winks’ ~ Those times in life when The Lord sends you serendipity or exactly what you need at just the right time. Other times, the surprises come in the form of unexpected life events…even life-changing events, that test one’s courage, one’s very being. It is during the latter that one must fully turn one’s attention toward God, lest they fall in the water like St. Peter when he walked on the sea with Jesus’ help, when he took his eyes off of Our Dear Lord and perhaps lost his courage. Over the past week, I have had more than a few medical surprises. The IVIG treatments to treat muscle weakness has stopped working. Sure, I knew I was not feeling well, but I didn’t know why or how sick I really was until I went to the pulmonologist and the neurologist. They tell me it appears that this progressive neuromuscular condition I have had for 32 years is advancing. In essence, both specialists concurred that it is time for me to begin using a wheelchair for 2 different reasons: I am very unsteady on my feet, and I have acute respiratory muscle weakness. Either of these things alone could be enough to emotionally knock me right off my feet; yet together, they form a formidable challenge. As today’s Scripture reading so eloquently states, “God is my salvation. I will trust and not...

“Light shines through the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and merciful and just.” Psalm 112:1-6 by Adele M. Gill | www.theinspirationcafeblog.net Part of the human condition is to experience challenging times, sometimes even difficult times, of darkness. During these times, there may be temptation to give up and move into despair. Yet, today’s holy Scripture clearly tells us that there is “Light through the darkness for the upright.” That is, there is Light shining through the darkness for those who seek God and follow His commandments. For we as Christians who place our trust in Jesus, the Savior of the World, this is, indeed, very, very good news, as darkness melts away into recognition, hunger and thirst for God’s grace. Certainly we all know the pain of disappointment, failure, abandonment, losing a loved one, or what it feels like to have a health setback in our lives. We all know the pain that is experienced when life becomes unpredictable and things seem to go awry, instead of according to by the plans we have set forth. Yet, today’s Scripture encourages us to take heart and hold on… For we as Christians, it is important to understand well that the Lord has us covered. Covered in His love, covered in his plan, covered in his gracious Divine Mercy, covered in his saving precious blood that He shed on the cross for you and for me, and our loved ones. When we try our best, hard as it may be, to place our trust in Jesus, the door to any situation is opened so that streams of His life-giving light...